[Event "Carlsen Tour Final"] [Site "chess24.com INT"] [Date "2020.08.12"] [Round "1.41"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2863"] [BlackElo "2791"] [Annotator "Edouard,Romain"] [PlyCount "89"] [EventDate "2020.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 {This is the standard setup of Queen's Gambit but this will divert to Semi-Slav variation, one of the most complicated black variations versus the 1. d4 opening. Semi- Slav has a truckload of theories and tactics that makes it fun to study and use as a weapon. But if you are playing white, it is a must to study and prepare against the Semi-Slav.} 4. Nc3 c6 {Here we go, now we are into the Semi-Slav complex system. There are several sideline openings as we go on, but we will study it on our next featured blogs.} 5. Bg5 {Yes, I prefer this 5. Bg5 move than the quiet 5. Be2 line because it brings out the bishop early and pins the knight.} h6 6. Bh4 { Retreating is best for white to invite black to weaken black's kingside enticing 6...g5 move.} ({Other move is:} 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Bd3 g6 9. O-O Bg7) 6... dxc4 {Yes, white allows this sacrifice to release control of the e4 square when there is no longer pawn at d5 square thus, weakens the center of black due to white has two center pawns (e and d pawns).} 7. e4 g5 {The problem with 7...g5 chasing the bishop, it weakens black's kingside, also, black will be hesitant to castle kingside in the long run.} 8. Bg3 b5 {It binds the queenside pawns, but the problem is most previous black's moves were all pawn moves, delays development.} 9. Be2 {White must castle right away to take advantage of delayed black's development must disrupt the slow make up of black's position.} b4 10. Na4 Nxe4 {Notice: How many pawns has white now? what is the repercussion of black's delayed development since he seized all free pawns.} 11. Be5 {Yes, white will not exchange the bishop till he creates weakness towards kingside enticing f6 move.} Nf6 12. Nc5 c3 ({Other move is:} 12... Bxc5 13. dxc5 Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1 Nbd7 15. Rxd7) 13. bxc3 bxc3 14. O-O { Fantastic position by white. Obvious effect of black's disregard of developing pieces early.} Nbd7 15. Nxd7 Bxd7 16. Qb3 Bg7 17. Qa3 {GM Carlsen is not taking the pawn yet at c3, better to pressure the black king.} g4 18. Ne1 { The g4 soon another weak pawn as enters white's territory. Yet, the knight just side steps to d3 or c2 square which is much suitable place for the knight. } c5 {Yes, it indeed black's capture of pawns on early stage backfired it was a setup or bait to offer free pawns.} 19. dxc5 O-O {Black is forced to castle but still black is not yet off the hook.} 20. Bxc3 {WE STOP HERE: ANALYZE THE POSITION. FOR 5 MINUTES, PLAN THE BEST MOVES FOR WHITE? WHAT ARE THE BEST PLANS TO CONTINUE PRESSURING BLACK?} h5 {Yes, making sure g4 is defended when the knight at f6 leave its post.} 21. Rd1 Nd5 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Bc4 Bc6 24. Nc2 {Nice knight manoeuvre as it goes to d4 square to attack the bishop at c6.} Qf6 25. Nd4 Ne7 26. f3 {Wow... this opens pathway to attack the king as we can see it is vulnerable.} g3 27. hxg3 Rfd8 28. Nxc6 Nxc6 29. Qe3 Nd4 30. g4 Rac8 31. g5 Qf5 32. Rxd4 Qxc5 33. Bxe6 Rc6 34. Re4 Qxe3+ 35. Rxe3 {Yes, if your position is better, exchange queens then go for endgame.} Rxe6 36. Rxe6 fxe6 { WE STOP AGAIN HERE: PLEASE ANALYZE THE POSITION. THINK OF STRATEGY TO FIND A WIN FOR WHITE.} 37. Re1 Rd6 38. Kh2 {Yes, the h5 pawn is weak.} Kg6 39. f4 Kf5 40. Kg3 h4+ {Desperation move. White is winning.} 41. Kxh4 Kxf4 42. g6 Rd8 43. Rf1+ Ke3 44. Kg5 e5 45. g7 {White wins... What a nice game demonstrated by World Champ Magnus Carlsen. This game teaches us how to deal with the Semi-Slav. Thank you so much GM Carlsen for this game....} 1-0